2 slain deputies remembered one year after ambush

Brandon Nielsen and Jeremy Triche (Source: St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office)

LAPLACE, LA (WAFB) -

It's been one year since an ambush left two sheriff's deputies dead and two others wounded.

Family, friends and officials gathered Friday to remember Brandon Nielsen and Jeremy Triche, the two deputies with the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office who were shot and killed at a
trailer park in LaPlace when they showed up to interview suspects in a
shooting earlier that morning. It was a tragedy that rocked the River Parishes.

Nielsen and Triche were killed in what Sheriff Mike Tregre described as an ambush. Deputy Jason Triche and Deputy Michael Boyington II were injured, but survived.

Tregre said the initial shooting happened near Bayou Steel on LA 3217 in a Valero plant parking lot south of LaPlace around 5 a.m. Deputy Jason Triche was helping with traffic in the area when someone walked up to him and opened fire.

Tregre said a witness called to report a speeding vehicle on the highway and deputies ended up at a nearby trailer park to investigate. He added Jeremy Triche and Nielsen were questioning two people about shooting when a third made his way outside through another door.

Tregre said the pair was then shot to death by that third suspect. Boyington was wounded in the shooting.

Seven suspects were arrested in connection with the shooting. They were all moved to the St. Charles Parish jail.

Louisiana State Police said Kyle David Joekel and Brian Lyn Smith are charged with two counts of first-degree murder of a police officer and three counts of attempted first-degree murder of a police officer.

Brittney Keith is facing two counts of principal to first-degree murder of a police officer and three counts of principal to attempted first-degree murder of a police officer.

Terry Smith and Derrick Smith are charged with principal to attempted first-degree murder of a police officer.

Chanel Skains was arrested on a charge of accessory after the fact to attempted first-degree murder of a police officer. According to WWL in New Orleans, Skains has pleaded guilty to that charge. She has not yet been sentenced.

Teniecha Bright was charged with principal to attempted first-degree murder of a police officer, but the charge was later dropped. Authorities are still holding her as a material witness.

A state sales tax holiday will be held Memorial Day weekend so residents can stock up on hurricane supplies (Source: WAFB)

A state sales tax holiday will be held Memorial Day weekend so residents can stock up on hurricane supplies (Source: WAFB)

Memorial Day weekend may be the best time to stock up on supplies for hurricane season. On Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27, the sales tax will drop from 5 to 3 percent on various items people need for storm preparation.

Memorial Day weekend may be the best time to stock up on supplies for hurricane season. On Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27, the sales tax will drop from 5 to 3 percent on various items people need for storm preparation.

Police are asking for the public’s help to find a man accused of attacking his own brother. Greater Baton Rouge Crime Stoppers reported Wesley Hampton, 21, is wanted by the Baton Rouge Police Department.

Police are asking for the public’s help to find a man accused of attacking his own brother. Greater Baton Rouge Crime Stoppers reported Wesley Hampton, 21, is wanted by the Baton Rouge Police Department.

(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File). FILE - In this May 22, 2018 file photo, actor Morgan Freeman attends the 2018 PEN Literary Gala in New York. Freeman is apologizing to anyone who may have felt “uncomfortable or disrespected” by his behavior....

Actor Morgan Freeman has apologized for making anyone feel uneasy, in the wake of a CNN report in which multiple women accused him of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior.More >>

Actor Morgan Freeman has apologized for making anyone feel uneasy, in the wake of a CNN report in which multiple women accused him of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior.More >>